LAOAG, ILOCOS NORTE — After missing the first week of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference due to health and safety protocols, the Perlas Spikers will have to make up for lost time.
But Perlas head coach Rei Diaz doesn’t mind the grueling schedule. For him, all they have to do is work together as a family — just as they have done over the past months.
“One at the time, planning, and teamwork. Perlas is blessed with supportive management and coaches with excellent players,” shared Diaz.
“We just have to become one para mas maging madali ang lahat ng bagay. Laking tulong din talaga na family-oriented culture ang Perlas Spikers.”
The very first setback Perlas experienced was when seven of their players, along with one member of its coaching staff, tested positive for COVID-19 during their bubble training at the St. Vincent gym in Baguio.
Then, when the team finally arrived at the Ilocos bubble for the PVL, a member of the team’s non-playing staff yielded a positive RT-PCR test. That then forced the league to put all their members in quarantine and postpone their matches.
Now, Perlas does not mind going through a tight schedule so long as they finally get to play the sport that they love.
“Happy, blessed and excited ang team. Nakaka-overwhelm talaga na marinig mo sa team at players mo na they surrender everything to Him and all of us felt the love and faithfulness of the Lord,” said Diaz.
“God is good. The team is very happy and excited. Overwhelming, the team felt the love and faithfulness of our Lord. Thankful sa Perlas management and players.”
Perlas was cleared on Wednesday night after testing negative to a battery of RT-PCR tests. The Spikers began its training last Friday at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.
The team will have back-to-back games against Choco Mucho on Sunday at 4:00 PM; then against Chery Tiggo on Monday at 3:00 PM.
